On paper, the Detroit Pistons appear to have a relatively easy week ahead with two games against the Washington Wizards and a matchup against the injury-plagued Golden State Warriors.
However, don’t expect Detroit to overlook any upcoming opponents, starting with the Tuesday meeting against the host Wizards. The teams will square again on Thursday in Washington.
The Pistons figure to be especially focused against the Wizards after losing the teams’ latest meeting 126-117 in Detroit on Feb. 5.
The win was one of just 16 this season for Washington, which extended its losing streak to 12 games with a 125-117 home defeat against Golden State on Monday.
Detroit had its three-game winning streak snapped in a 119-108 road loss to the Toronto Raptors on Sunday. Cade Cunningham had 33 points and nine assists to lead the Pistons, who were outscored 34-17 in the third quarter after leading by five at halftime.
“Not enough physicality (in the third quarter),” Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “We didn’t dictate well enough on that end of the floor and again, gave them second and third opportunities at it. It’s going to be hard to survive if you’re not controlling the basketball.”
Detroit’s Ausar Thompson returned on Sunday after missing five games due to a right ankle sprain and had four points and three assists in 24 minutes. Isaiah Stewart sat out the loss at Toronto with a left calf strain and is not expected to return this week as the team monitors the injury.
“I can’t give you a timeline because we’ll always try to see how he responds,” Bickerstaff said. “The most important thing for us is that he gets well, so we’ll take our time and make sure that he’s well.”
Stewart’s injury likely will result in more playing time for forward Paul Reed, who tallied four points and six rebounds in 11 minutes on Sunday.
Detroit will face a Washington team playing on the second night of a back-to-back.
Wizards guard Trae Young had 21 points and five assists in 21 minutes against the Warriors before exiting the game with a bruised right quadriceps in the third quarter. He is questionable to face the Pistons.
If Young is out for an extended period, it would reduce the amount of time he could play alongside promising center Alex Sarr. The pair are critical to the team’s long-term plans.
“I’m definitely getting used to playing with him, seeing pick-and-roll angles,” Sarr said. “We’re just working, getting extra reps right now. That’s very valuable.”
Sarr sat out the Monday game due to right hamstring injury management, but he is expected to return to action on Tuesday.
The Wizards (16-51) own the second-worst record in the league, but there is reason for optimism. With a mix of young players such as Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly and Will Riley, along with veterans Young and Anthony Davis, Washington is optimistic about turning things around as soon as next season.
“People can laugh about us now,” Young said. “In the future, I don’t think people are going to be laughing about us.”
–Field Level Media
